This Morning Hamilton County Coalition
Featured, Health, Local News

Hamilton County Coalition offers wrap around service to those struggling with addiction

Khristine Arnold,

Jarrod Dunn and Kate Parsons join News 12’s Amelia Greer to remind viewers of the importance of recovery resources. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Hamilton County Coalition is responding to several counties in the viewing area to encourage those facing addiction and mental illness. Lifeline Coordinator Jarrod Dunn and Faith-Based Coordinator Kate Parsons remind everyone that the Hamilton County Coalition offers…

This Morning Gratefull
Featured, Local News

Come one, come all to 2025 Gratefull!

Khristine Arnold,

Dawn Hjelseth from River City Company joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to remind viewers ‘Gratefull’ is right around the corner.  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Lots of free food and good community with Gratefull taking over MLK Blvd. Celebrating over a decade of serving the community, everyone is invited to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal together and to meet your neighbors. All…

First Responder Hero Award: Trey Birdwell
Featured, First Responder Award, Local News

First Responder Hero Award: Trey Birdwell

Lillian Yi,

DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) – News 12 is recognizing some of the bravest members of our community through the First Responders Hero Award. Whether someone is an EMT, paramedic, firefighter, or police officer, this award honors their unwavering dedication to keeping our community safe. When danger strikes, these men and women are the first to respond. Now, it is our turn to…

Festivaloftreespreview
Cleveland, Local News

Festival of Trees event raises funds for struggling mothers

Jesse Farley,

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — Foundation House Ministries’ Festival of Trees event was Thursday. The event runs from 6 to 8pm and gives families an opportunity to celebrate the holidays stress free. Foundation House Ministries is a nonprofit that provides housing and a recovery program for mothers. It’s the only maternity home of its kind within a one-hundred-and-fifty-mile radius. Guests were…

Novonix Riverside Graphite Facility Interior 2 1 Scaled

Novonix expansion remains on track

Nick Hill,

The interior of the Novonix facility on the Chattanooga Westside (Courtesy: Novonix) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- 95 percent of the world’s synthetic graphite is currently produced in China. One company, whose presence is expanding in Chattanooga, is looking to change that. In order to achieve this, Novonix is looking to soon reach full production at their Chattanooga Westside facility. The product…

Healthy Food
Featured, Local News

Red Bank Pantry Sees Surge in Families as SNAP Delays Continue

WDEF News,

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)-The Chattanooga Area Food Bank remains in emergency response mode as delayed SNAP benefits push more families across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia to local food pantries. At Red Bank Community Food Pantry, the surge has been striking. Volunteers report a 52% increase in families visiting, many for the first time. Heather Hammond, a worker with the pantry,…

Pilgrim’s Breaks Ground In Lafayette
Featured, Local News

Pilgrim’s Breaks Ground in LaFayette

Robert Hanley,

LAFAYETTE, GA (WDEF) – Pilgrim’s is making a major investment in Walker County’s future with the groundbreaking of a $400 million prepared foods facility at the Walker County Business Park in LaFayette. The new multi-phase facility is expected to create more than 630 jobs when it reaches full capacity, producing fully cooked chicken products for retail and foodservice customers across…

Can Tariff Rebates Really Happen?
Featured, Local News

Can Tariff Rebates Really Happen?

Robert Hanley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – President Donald Trump has proposed giving most Americans a $2,000 payment funded by money collected from tariffs on imported goods.  The administration says the plan could take several forms, including direct checks or tax reductions, but officials stress that the details are still being worked out, including who would qualify and how the payments would be…

New Sheriff’s Property And Evidence Facility
Featured, Local News

New Sheriff’s Property and Evidence Facility

Robert Hanley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County law enforcement has officially finished upgrades to the Law Enforcement Operations Center (LEOC) and the newly renovated Property and Evidence Facility that formerly was the Chattanooga Gas Company building. The $600,000 project began in January 2023 and took two years to complete.  Together, the spaces now cover 9,100 square feet, more than double the…

Residents Form Group That Wants Enterprise South Nature Park Preserved
Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Proposed land swap continues to be topic of conversation at commission meeting

Nick Hill,

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The potential deed land swap between McDonald Farm and Enterprise South Nature Park continued to stir debate at Hamilton County Commission. The proposal would preserve 1,300 acres at the Sale Creek property in exchange for opening up over 500 acres at Enterprise South for potential development. The plan has stirred controversy from citizens who would like…

This Morning Lee Company
Featured, Local News

Lee Company helping out our community with their annual Vans4Cans food drive

Khristine Arnold,

Nick Shanks joins News 12’s Chip Chapman to remind viewers of a special fundraiser technicians are doing with Lee Company.  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Lee Company’s annual Vans4Cans food drive is helping out our community during a time of need. Now through November 21, canned goods and non-perishables can be donated to Lee Company by stopping by at their in-person…

Red Wolves Scott Mackenzie Named Usl League1 Coach Of The Year
Sports - Local Sports News

Red Wolves Scott Mackenzie Named USL League One Coach of the Year

Rick Nyman,

(chattanoogaredwolves-sc.com) The Chattanooga Red Wolves are proud to announce that Head Coach and Technical Director Scott Mackenzie has been named the 2025 USL League One Coach of the Year, following a historic season that saw the Red Wolves reach new heights on and off the pitch. At 35 years, 9 months and 25 days old, Mackenzie becomes the youngest coach ever to win the award, surpassing…

Six Baylor Soccer Players Sign College Scholarships
Sports - Local Sports News

Six Baylor Soccer Players Sign College Scholarships

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Huge signing party at Baylor Wednesday. Among those inking college scholarships were an incredible six players from the girls soccer state championship team. Lilly Catalanatto to Carson Newman. Hadley Griffith to Tennessee Tech. Zoe Misenhimer to UTC. Ryleigh Ramey to Carson Newman Paige Thompson to King University. Emily Betterton to UTC. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
Featured, Local News

Penny Production Officially Ends Nationwide

Robert Hanley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The United States Mint has officially ended production of the penny.  The final one-cent coins for circulation were struck on November 12, 2025, concluding over 230 years of continuous production. Production ended after the Treasury Department placed its final order of penny blanks in May 2025.  The cost to produce a single penny is now about…

Screenshot 2025 11 12 155410
Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Proposed Soddy-Daisy asphalt plant resurfaces amid continued opposition

Nick Hill,

A group of Soddy-Daisy citizens opposed to a proposed asphalt plant at Wednesday’s Planning Commission meeting. SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF)- You may remember a proposed asphalt plant in Soddy-Daisy near the Highway 27 and Thrasher Pike interchange. That had been voted down in August. However, that proposal is back on a nearby piece of property.  There were frustrations from residents after…

This Morning Tivoli Theatre Foundation
Featured, Local News

Murder mystery at Memorial Auditorium!

Khristine Arnold,

CEO Nick Wilkinson joins News 12’s Chip Chapman as the Tivoli Theatre gets ready to kick off their 2025-2026 Broadway Season! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Mystery and murder takes center stage at the Memorial Auditorium stage this Thanksgiving weekend with Clue: Live on Stage kicking off the 2025-2026 Broadway Season! Inspired by the board game and cult classic film Clue,…

Rolling Thunder Keeps The Memory Alive On Veterans Day
Featured, Local News

Rolling Thunder keeps the memory alive on Veterans Day

Lillian Yi,

ROCK SPRING, Ga. (WDEF) – As we celebrate Veterans Day, one group of riders continues to ensure that those who never made it home are never forgotten. News 12 spoke with three members of the organization Rolling Thunder, a group of riders and supporters who honor veterans year-round, with a special focus on prisoners of war and those still missing…

american flag
Featured, Local News

UTC Honors Local Heroes at Annual Veterans Day Luncheon

WDEF News,

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) honored local heroes today during its annual Veterans Day Luncheon. Students, staff, and community members gathered at the Wolford Family Athletic Center to celebrate those who have served in the armed forces. Keynote speaker Terry Ellis, a UTC nursing professor and Army National Guard lieutenant, shared his experiences caring for injured soldiers and…